Less than a month remains until applications for the 2010 Nuffield Farming Scholarships close, on June 30, with the number of positions open to young farmers and farm managers for travel and research next year increased from 16 to 20.
Nuffield Australia chairman David Brownhill said it had never been more important for Australian farmers to gain first-hand knowledge of global agriculture, given the increasing volatility of international markets and growing environmental challenges.
"Nuffield Australia gives young farmers and farm managers the opportunity to explore these issues as they are occurring, bringing back the latest ideas from their international travels to help Australian agriculture develop strategies to meet these challenges," he said.
Scholarships for travel next year are valued at $27,000, sponsored by leading agribusiness and primary producer organisations.
The scholarships cover participation in a compulsory six-week Global Focus Program that includes Canada, the US and UK and may also include the Philippines, Brazil, China, France and Ireland.
The Global Focus Program is followed by a further 10 weeks of international travel as part of each scholar’s individual study tour.
Scholars are selected for their farming and leadership capabilities, and potential to make a valuable contribution to Australian agriculture.
They join a growing international network of Nuffield scholars, which has more than 200 members in Australia and 1300 members worldwide.
All scholarships are subject to suitability of applicants.
Nuffield Scholarships are being offered in 2010 for the following:
• A grain grower in northern New South Wales or Queensland, supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation;
• A grain grower in southern New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia or Tasmania, supported by the
Grains Research and Development Corporation;
• A grain grower in Western Australia, supported by the Grains Research and Development Corporation;
• A livestock producer anywhere in Australia supported by Meat & Livestock Australia;
• A woolgrower scholarship anywhere in Australia supported by Australian Wool Innovation;
• A primary producer anywhere in Australia supported by Landmark;
• A primary producer anywhere in Australia supported by Rabobank;
• A grain grower anywhere in Australia supported by the Grain Growers Association;
• A chicken meat grower or livestock manager anywhere in Australia supported by the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation’s Chicken Meat Program;
• Two vegetable growers anywhere in Australia supported by Horticulture Australia and the National Vegetable R&D Levy;
• An aquaculture and/or fish producer anywhere in Australia supported by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation;
• A dairy farmer in Victoria supported by the Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation;
• A dairy farmer anywhere in Australia supported by Dairy Australia and the Australian Dairy Conference;
• A primary producer anywhere in Australia supported by Macquarie Agricultural Services;
• A primary producer anywhere in Australia supported by The Kondinin Group;
• A primary producer anywhere in Australia, to study natural resource management, supported by the Sidney Myer Fund;
• A mixed farmer or livestock producer in Victoria supported by the Estates of the late RC and EC Webb;
• A primary producer in NSW; and
• A primary producer in Queensland.
Applications close on 30 June 2009. Application forms are available from Nuffield Australia on 03 5480 0755, via email, enquiries@nuffield.com.au, or from the website www.nuffield.com.au.
Successful scholars will be announced in October 2009.
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